CHEYNEY, Pa. – Mercyhurst College (11-0) outlasted opponent Cheyney University, 66-64, to complete the weekend sweep of Eastern Division teams in the first weekend of the mandated Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference crossover contests.
The Lakers went on a 7-0 run in the final minutes of the game to take a 62-53 lead with 36 seconds remaining and then hit 6-of-8 free throws in those finals seconds to preserve the lead and hold off the Wolves (7-2) for the victory.
Brian McTear paced the Lakers for the second-straight game as he posted game-highs with 19 points and seven assists while contributing seven rebounds.
Jordan Armstrong led all players with 11 boards and was one of three other Mercyhurst players that recorded double-figures in points with 13.
Jeremiah Wise chipped in 17 tallies to mark his second-straight game in double-figures after missing the last six games with an injury.
Elliot Engelmann also added 11 points.
The Lakers trailed for much of the first half until Wise's 3-pointer at 4:07 knotted the score at 25-25. Mercyhurst then reclaimed the lead on a dunk by Armstrong, its first since a 3-2 advantage in the opening minute of the game, and Wise followed with another jumper to give the Lakers a 29-24 lead with just under two minutes to play. Wise would finish the game nearly perfect from the floor, hitting 6-of-7 attempts, including a perfect 3-of-3 from behind the arc.
Cheyney's Tyrone Smith helped erase the Wolves' deficit, connecting on a lay-up and the ensuing free-throw to complete the 3-point play with just over a minute remaining in the first half to send the Wolves into the locker room with a slim 31-29 lead.
Engelmann opened the second half with a lay-up to tie the game for the third time, and Mercyhurst held the lead until 9:54 when Cheyney's Zaire Newton connected on a 3-pointer to give the Wolves their first lead of the second half, 46-45.
The two squads traded baskets to make it 48-47, but Engelmann's 3-pointer at 7:47 gave the Lakers the lead and they would not relinquish.
Mercyhurst is in action next on Saturday, January 9 when the Lakers host West Chester at 3:00 p.m. in the final weekend of PSAC crossover play. Mercyhurst also will host another doubleheader on Sunday against Millersville, beginning with a 1 p.m. women's contest.
